The Big East has taken some ribbing over the years.
Well, I’ve got some bad news, Big East fans: This year, the ribbing may reach new levels. And it may be justified, too.
Looking ahead to 2009, it’s clear there isn't legitimate Top 20 team in the entire league. Pitt and UCoonn are rebuilding, South Florida and Rutgers are consistently inconsistent, and Cincinnati loses almost its entire defense. Which leaves us with West Virginia—a team that must replace its all-time best player, Pat White—as the de facto favorite
Here, we look at seven games that figure to shape the (ugly) season to come in the Big East.
Cincinnati at Rutgers (Sept. 7)
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
This early-season test should tell us plenty about the state of both programs. Cincy came out of nowhere to win the Big East last year, and though everyone in the game speaks highly of coach Brian Kelly, it’s no slam dunk that he’ll be able to sustain that kind of success at a historically low-profile program like Cincy. Rutgers, meanwhile, seems to have hit a plateau under onetime media darling Greg Schiano. The Scarlet Knights need to replace quarterback Mike Teel and his top two receivers, Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood.
Connecticut at Pitt (Oct. 10)
(Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Pitt lost LeSean McCoy. UConn lost Donald Brown. So the question is: Which offense has enough firepower to make up for the losses? The answer is probably “neither.” UConn has decent depth at quarterback, and tailback Jordan Todman is a player to watch, but the program suffers from a chronic lack of speed on the flank. As for Pitt? Well, top deep threat Jonathan Baldwin ran into trouble this spring and his status is in doubt. So NFL-caliber tight end Nate Byham may end up as the Panthers’ top receiver in 2009.
Cincinnati at South Florida (Oct. 15)
Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images
The Bulls return the conference’s two most talented players: Quarterback Matt Grothe and defensive end George Melvie. Note that I said “talented,” not “best.” South Florida’s problem in recent years hasn’t been talent. No, given the school’s location, it’s probably got more pure athletes than anyone in the Big East. The issue, instead, has been discipline—playing smart, making plays in the clutch, not giving games away. On paper, the Bulls should win this game. But will they?
Connecticut at West Virginia (Oct. 24)
(Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
West Virginia can assert its league dominance with a big showing here. Though it’s hard to see the ‘Eers making a run at the national title without the great Pat White to carry the offense, the fact is, this is the best team in the Big East. The underrated defense should be stout once more, and if the ‘Eers can find any kind of offense—say, 30 points per game—they should cruise to the league title.
South Florida at Pitt (Oct. 24)
(Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Pitt should have won the Big East title last year. This year, without McCoy, a championship simply isn’t in the cards. So it will be interesting to see how the team reacts to games like these—games that, really, won’t carry much weight on the national picture, but could make the difference between a decent bowl bid and a dismal one.
Pitt at West Virginia (Nov. 27)
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
The Big East should do whatever it can to promote the Backyard Brawl as much as possible, because it’s the only league rivalry game that carries any national clout. This game has been one of the most entertaining rivalries in all of college football recently, and it’s especially rowdy when played down in Morgantown. By this point in the season, the ‘Eers should be closing in on another Big East title. Can Pitt play spoiler like they did back in 2007?
West Virginia at Rutgers (Dec. 5)
(Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
This will be the last test West Virginia will face en route to that sought-after BCS bid. But it won’t be an easy one. After an atrocious start, Rutgers closed strong last season—a good sign that Schiano keeps coaching right up to the bitter end, no matter what. Rutgers will likely be playing to improve their bowl bid in this one. They’ll also be happy to rain on the ‘Eers parade. Scarlet Knights fans will be out in force. A possible late-season upset.
